Nuclear energy is unsafe

Greenpeace opposes nuclear power because it poses unacceptable risks to people and the environment. Nuclear power plants cost millions, are unsustainable, and take decades to build. India must recognise this, and build its energy future on renewable sources and energy efficiency.

The truth about nuclear power

Many myths surround nuclear energy. That it will provide energy security; that it provides a solution to climate change;that it is affordable; that it heralds a new age of energy generation that will plug India’s energy deficit. All of these are false. Most crucially, the notion that it is safe is also false.

Nuclear energy is an extortionately expensive and unacceptably risky method of power generation. All power plants are vulnerable to human error, natural disasters and design failure. The difference with nuclear is that the risk of an accident carries with it terrible and long-lasting consequences, which are vastly disproportionate to the power generated. Apart from the risk of accidents, each power plant also creates a legacy of radioactive waste that will remain harmful for hundreds – and sometimes thousands - of years. There is still no proper solution for the storage of this waste.

Power and electricity are services, intended to improve people’s lives. They are not tools to endanger lives or compromise health, as they become through nuclear power generation.

In India, the risks of nuclear power are made greater by the secrecy that shrouds the industry, and the unwillingness of authorities to heed citizens’ concerns. Greenpeace calls for a complete and transparent safety review of existing and proposed nuclear plants in India, and a review of India’s nuclear ambition with a refocus to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

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An aerial view of the final formation with over 1000 villagers from around Alibag Taluk (along with the windmills from over 3000 cyberactivists), who would like the government to invest in Renewable Energy instead of dirty coal.